Pipe wrench



Oct. 26, 1943. J. BRICKL'EY PIPE WRENCH Jilflfiickley INVENTOR.

Filed June 15, 1942 Patented Oct. 26, 1943 T DQSIA James L. Brickley, Darby, Mont, assign'or of One 'half to Sidney Arr Wheeler, Hamilton, Mont.

" r Application June is, 1942, Serial No. 447,115

. Y Claims. (01.81-106) This invention relates-to pipe wrenches of. the quick acting type, the primary object of the invention'being to provide a pipe wrench embodying a stationary inner jaw and an adjustableouter jaw,.means being. provided whereby the outer jawmaybe readily and easily adjusted with respect totheinner jaw, the operat-- ing means being controlled by the thumb of the hand in which the wrench is held, leaving the operators other hand free for holding the pipe or work, during the operation of the wrench.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will insure against the slipping of the movable jaw under excessive strain, after the proper adjustment of the wrench has been made.

Still another object of the invention is to provide anti-friction means between the shanks of the jaws of the wrench, which will permit of free sliding movement of the outer jaw under slight pressure in making an adjustment of the outer jaw, and one which is sufiiciently strong to normally hold the jaws open for positioning over a nut or bolt.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1 isa side elevational view of a wrench constructed in accordance with the invention, a portion thereof being broken away to illustrate the construction of the anti-friction means.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the wrench.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. l

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reierence character 5 designates the handle of the wrench and the reference character 6 designates the stationary jaw, which is formed at the outer end of the handle 5.

Secured to the jaw 6, is a yoke I which extends beyond one edge of the jaw as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawing. This yoke 1 provides a support for the movable jaw shank 8, the movable jaw being indicated by the reference character 9. The inner surface of the yoke which contacts with the outer edge of the shank 8, is slightly curved, as clearly shown by Figure 1, so that the shank- 8 will have afree rocking motion, to facilitate the positioning of the wrench over a nut 01" bolt tobe operated by the wrench.

Bores l0 and II are formedin the edgeot the jaw 6, the opening'lfl accommodating the pin l2 that extends downwardly from the plate [3 that rubs theinner edge of. the shank- 8 of the movable jaw 9. A pinindicated at H extends from the plate l3 and passes into the bore II, the pin [4 providing a support for one end of the coiled spring I5, which is shown as housed within the opening ll. Thus it will be seen that the spring l5 normally acts to urge the plate It outwardly against the shank 8, to the end that the movable jaw is held in a position to permit the wrench to be readily positioned over a nut or bolt.

Links I6 are connected with the inner end of the shank 8, and have pivotal connection with the block H which is slidably (mounted on one edge of the handle 5. The block I! cooperates with the block I8 in securing the outer movable jaw in its positions of adjustment. The block I8 is formed with teeth on its inner surface, the teeth being designed to bite into theedge of the handle 5 to hold the block against movement, in one direction. The blocks l1 and I8 are held in spaced relation with respect to each other, by means of the coiled spring l9 that has its ends fitted in bores formed in the adjacent ends of the blocks l1 and I8.

The reference character 20 designates a block which moves along one edge of the handle 5, as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawing. The block 20 is arranged directly under the blocks I! and I8, and is formed with recesses 2| in which the links 22 are held, the links being of an elongated character, so that they will fit within the recesses 22, formed in the blocks l1 and I8. Finger pieces 23 are formed at the upper ends of the links 22, and provide, means to be gripped by the operator when it becomes necessary to exert pressure on the blocks I! and It to move them in making an adjustment of the movable jaw. Under ordinary conditions, the wrench when held in the hand of the operator, may be operated by the thumb of the hand holding th wrench, it being contemplated to thrust the block l8 forwardly, releasing the frictional contact between the blocks I! and I8 and handle 5, so that further pressure by the thumb of the hand will cause the outer movable jaw to slide longitudinally of the handle 5, adjusting the outer movable jaw to its work, It is obvious that after the wrench has been positioned, and a pull is directed to the outer movable jaw, caused by exerting pressure on the handle of the wrench, the blocks l1 and I8 will be forced into close engagement with the handle, holding the outer movable jaw against movement to break the adjustment between the jaws.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided an exceptionally quick acting pipe wrench, and one in which the movable jaw there of will be held in its positions of adjustment, when severe strain is placed on the handle of the wrench while in use. although the movable jaw is securely held in its positions of adjustment, the adjustable jaw may be readily moved by the operator, when the pressure on the handle has been relieved.

What is claimed is:

1. A quick acting pipe wrench, comprising a handle, a stationary jaw at one end of the handle, av movable-jaw, adapted to cooperate with the stationary jaw in gripping an article, a slide block operating over one edge of the handle, a pair of slide blocks adapted to slide over the opposite edge of the handle, said blocks being in contact with the handle throughout the lengths of the blocks, links adapted to connect the movable jaw to .one of the blocks of the pair of blocks, links connecting the blocks at opposite edges of said It will further be seen that handle, a coiled spring disposed between the pair of blocks and adapted to normally urge the pair of blocks and links engaging the blocks, away from each other, whereby a binding action is set up between the blocks and handle, holdingthe movable jaw in its positions of adjustment, and means for restricting movement or the movable jaw.

2. A quick acting pipe wrench comprising a handle, a stationary jaw at one end of the bandle, a movable jaw adapted to cooperate with the stationary jaw in gripping an article, amovable block having recesses, positioned against one edge of the handle, a pair of links fitted in the recesses and adapted to move longitudinally of the handle, a' pairof blocksmovable over the opposite edge of the handle, said blocks havingrecesses in which said links are held, a coiled spring disposed between the blocks of the pairof blocks and adapted to separate, said blocks and links,

setting up a binding action between the blocks and handle, links pivotally connecting the mow able jaw to oneof said blocks whereby move ment of said blocks is transmitted to the movable jaw, and said blocks adapted to set up a binding action between the stationary jaw andmovable jaw, holding said movable jaw in its postions or adjustment. I 7 1 JAMES L. BRIC'KLEY. 

